About Catherine Hughes
Catherine Hughes, founder and chairperson of Urban One, has made several public appearances in recent months. On May 12, 2026, she appeared on the program "Get Up Mornings With Erica Campbell" to celebrate its 10th anniversary, recounting that she initially pitched the show to Campbell, who declined before calling back after consulting her husband. Hughes stated that Campbell and her co-host Griff have "an energy, a special combination" that fits the show's mission. At the inaugural Her Legacy event in Durham, North Carolina, on May 2, 2026, Hughes discussed her company's reach, saying Urban One operates in 19 markets with 75 radio stations, two cable networks, and 32 digital platforms, and that 82% of African Americans engage with one of its five companies weekly. She described herself as "unapologetically in the black people business" and noted that as chair of a publicly held corporation, her duty is to enhance stockholder investment.
Hughes also moderated a conversation with Tina Knowles at a Her Legacy event on May 1, 2026, where she stated she was the first African-American woman to chair a publicly held corporation. She addressed industry challenges, saying, "First, we had to survive digital. Now, here comes AI. They just will not allow black women in business to be left alone. But we up for the challenge." At the Beloved Community Global Summit on March 19, 2026, Hughes discussed the constraints of public ownership, asserting that "either going public puts a mute button on you, or your advertisers put a mute button on you" and that Wall Street dictates earnings and messaging. She also shared her personal goal: "My number one goal in life is to help black folks move up."
Source: AI-verified profile updated from Catherine Hughes's recent appearances.
Browse all interviews →
✨ AI-enhanced transcript with speaker attribution
C
Catherine Hughes0:00
Radio is my first love. I am so blessed to be in cable television with two networks, so blessed to be the number one destination on the internet for African Americans, so blessed that we reach 80% of all African Americans each and every week. I've always felt that I was in the black people business and that it was my job to tell the story of who we are, for us most importantly by us. Washington D.C. was ideal for what I wanted to do, which was to be the voice of my people, to address issues that would help the African-American community. In Washington D.C. there was a consciousness, an awareness, a smartness in this entire metropolitan area which includes Montgomery County, Northern Virginia, but it all was centered in Washington D.C. We were the headquarters, we were the point that everything fed off of and sprung out from. I think that because my D.C. radio stations are actually in Silver Spring, Maryland, in Montgomery County, I think that that is so special when your own acknowledge you. Montgomery County is one of the most successful, affluent, business-oriented counties in the entire United States of America. I don't see it as accomplished because accomplish to me isn't a period, is an end. I think of a work in progress.
First and foremost, I give praise and thanks to God from whom all blessings flow. What an honor it is to be recognized at the 2021 Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, and I'm this year's Emeritus Business Leader of the Year. Congratulations to my fellow honorees whose contributions to their respective industries and to Montgomery County are truly worthy of acknowledgement and recognition. I would also like to thank the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce board and its members, and also a shout out to my awards sponsor for working to create a thriving business community. Urban One is proud to be a member of this business community. While we're a national company with locations around the United States, this is home, and we are grateful for the support and love that we continue to receive right here in our own backyard, Montgomery County. Business ownership positions so many of us to not only live our dreams but also to serve, and I am blessed to have had the opportunity right here in Montgomery County and surrounding areas to be of service to this community for over 42 years. I sincerely thank you for my Emeritus recognition, and I'm just praying that this is not a coded message from my board. Much appreciation and gratitude. God bless.
